always prominent, led after 9th, ridden clear approaching 2 out, easily
held up, in touch, headway after 9th, weakening when not fluent 2 out
prominent, driven along 9th, weakened after 3 out
held up, in touch, driven along 8th, raced awkwardly approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader until 9th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, driven along after 8th, weakenend 9th
led, headed after 9th, soon ridden, no impression on winner approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Megaton can give weight away all round here, with Sky Warrior, Dr Cerullo and Ingres all worth a mention at least. Meaton as been a model of consistency this term, winning two of his last four starts, and as fast ground appears to be the key to this son of Nashwan, he can make the most of the prevailing conditions to strike again, with Richard Johnson replacing Tony McCoy in the plate. The one reservation about him being a good thing is the longer trip here, but he has been found a moderate contest. Sky Warrior is much better handicapped over hurdles than fences, but even so has a job on to topple the selection at the weights, while Dr Cerullo was a one-paced third over the track-and-trip last time and would prefer further. Ingres has place claims on last season's form but is hard to fancy, and Zarakash has been off nearly three months. Nevertheless he should be prominent for a while, without being good enough to stop Megaton from adding to his haul.
Megaton 10-3 (11-10) In touch, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Ela Re (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jun.
Dr Cerullo 10-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, driven along approaching 3 out, stayed on from next to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Harrycat (11-1) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Wild Chimes (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway to join leaders 7th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 15, 29l behind Here We Go (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Ingres 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led 6th to 9th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Rushneeyriver (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf, 17 ran.
Esters Boy 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 8, well behind Nite Fox (10-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Oct.
Nightwatchman (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along, behind from 6th, 13th of 14, well behind Sultan Fontenaille (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Sky Warrior (FR) 11-1 (10-6) Held up, driven along 6th, headway next, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind The Names Bond (10-3) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf.
Zarakash (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Prominent, headway when mistake 3 out, chased leaders until weakened approaching last, left 3rd and mistake last, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Traprain (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
